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Eleuthero Bark

오가피 (五加皮) · Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus (Rupr. & Maxim.) S.Y.Hu

Wind-damp dispelling herb Warm Pungent, bitter Liver, Kidney

NatureWarm

TastePungent, bitter

MeridiansLiver, Kidney

Part usedRoot and stem bark

FamilyAraliaceae

CategoryWind-damp dispelling herb

Find by concern: Joint pain Weak lower back Fatigue

Overview

Eleuthero bark — from a thorny relative of ginseng — is the Donguibogam’s herb for strengthening sinew and bone against wind-damp. Recorded as treating the "five taxations and seven damages," it was prized for firming weak legs, easing joint pain, and building resilience, and remains a well-known Korean tonic bark today. The classical entry (五加皮) does not textually distinguish species — both common eleuthero (Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus) and its more thorn-covered relative, marketed today as "gasi-ogapi" (Eleutherococcus senticosus, the species usually meant by "Siberian ginseng" in Western herbal commerce), trace back to this same classical entry.

In the Donguibogam

東醫
寶鑑

性溫, 味辛苦, 無毒. 補五勞七傷, 益氣添精, 堅筋骨, 强志意.

Source: Donguibogam, Tangaek-pyeon (Herbology volume)

TranslationIts nature is warm, its taste pungent and bitter, and it is non-toxic. It tonifies the five taxations and seven damages, boosts qi and adds essence, firms the sinews and bones, and strengthens the will.

Traditional functions

Dispels wind-damp
Strengthens sinews and bones
Tonifies liver and kidney
Firms weak legs and lower back

Traditional applications

Joint pain from wind-damp
Weak, aching legs and lower back
Slow development in children (classical use)
General fatigue with weakness

Traditional preparation

Decoction 6–12g; also steeped as a medicinal liquor (ogapi-ju).

Cautions

Caution: Warming and drying; traditionally used cautiously in yin-deficiency with heat. Consult a professional before use.

Frequently asked questions

Is eleuthero related to ginseng?

Yes — both are in the Araliaceae family. Eleuthero (once called "Siberian ginseng") is a thorny shrub whose bark is used to strengthen sinew and bone, distinct from true Panax ginseng but sharing a tonic reputation.

Is "gasi-ogapi" (thorny eleuthero) a different herb from ogapi?

Botanically, gasi-ogapi (Eleutherococcus senticosus — the species usually meant by "Siberian ginseng" in Western commerce) is a distinct but closely related species from common ogapi (Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus). The Donguibogam's single 五加皮 entry, however, does not separate them by species — both trace to this same classical text and share its recorded properties.

What does "five taxations and seven damages" mean?

It is a classical umbrella term for the many forms of chronic depletion and overwork; the Donguibogam records eleuthero bark as tonifying this broad pattern of deep weakness.

Sources

동의보감 탕액편 (원문) — 한문 원문 발췌 — 한의학고전DB 탕액편 대조 검증 완료 (DATA-001)
한의학고전DB (mediclassics.kr) — 국역 참조 후 자체 재서술 (LEGAL-001)

DonguiHub is an educational and informational platform about the history and tradition of Korean medicine. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about health conditions and before using any herb.